RUGBY league legend and former Huddersfield coach Alex Murphy is resting in hospital after suffering a mild heart attack.

The 66-year-old, who is director of rugby at Leigh, complained of feeling unwell on Wednesday and was taken to hospital at Whiston, near St Helens.

Tests revealed Murphy, who coached Huddersfield from 1991-94, had suffered a heart attack and he will now be monitored over the next week. It is not yet clear how long he will remain in hospital.

As a gifted scrum half, Murphy is regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the game, as well as one of its most colourful and controversial characters.

His career began when he signed for St Helens on his 16th birthday and he has been involved for more than 40 years as a player, coach, administrator and media pundit.

He played for hometown Saints, Leigh and Warrington and later coached all three, as well as Salford, Wigan and Huddersfield. He also captained Great Britain and won 27 Test caps.

* Leigh have suspended former Giants hooker Paul Rowley for unspecified reasons. The club are unwilling to comment other than to say the matter concerning the 30-year-old will be dealt with internally.